The Minister of sports of the Russian Federation told about the plan B in case of refusal of Canada in visas to hockey players

Russia has a backup plan in case of refusal of visas for hockey players to participate in the youth world championship. This idea was voiced by the Minister of Sport and the head of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev. He said this in an interview with the TV channel “Star”.

“We have a plan B. We won't disclose it. It will be good for Russia and bad for Canada. It will be deprived of the right to hold international competitions. The IOC reformed. He reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee and lifted all restrictions. He also amended the Olympic Charter. The Charter calls on all international federations to prevent politicization, he said.

Decisions must be made regardless of political and social pressure.

On October 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to admit Russian teams to international tournaments. Canada will host the World Youth Championships in two cities: Edmonton and Red Deer in December 2026 and January 2027. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the refusal of visas to Russians for this tournament. The IIHF has not yet resolved the issue of admission of Russians to international tournaments, pointing to the existing difficulties in obtaining visas, ensuring security, logistics and changes in the format of competitions.

Teams of Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic announced their unwillingness to play against Russia. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation has also refused to play against Russia. The Norwegian Hockey Federation (NIHF) on November 8 announced the departure of the youth team from among the participants of the World Cup.

Read also in the materials:

The IIHF hoped that Russia itself will refuse to participate in the World Cup;

The Russian team was included in the participants of the World Youth Championship.

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